Devine Scripture

Romans 16:19

What does Romans 16:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 16:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 16:19 means

Paul rejoices that the Romans’ obedience is widely known, yet he urges them to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil. He commends their reputation while calling them to mature discernment coupled with innocence. Wisdom pursues what is truly good; simplicity regarding evil means being untainted and unskilled in it. This balanced exhortation keeps a faithful church from either naivety or jadedness. Their standing is strong, but they must remain vigilant—growing in goodness and refusing complicity with evil—so that deceptive teachers find no foothold among them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For all have knowledge of how you do what you are ordered. For this reason I have joy in you, but it is my desire that you may be wise in what is good, and without knowledge of evil.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for your obedience did reach to all; I rejoice, therefore, as regards you, and I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good and simple in evil.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For your obedience has reached to all. I rejoice therefore as it regards you; but I wish you to be wise [as] to that which is good, and simple [as] to evil.

Context

After warning about divisive deceivers, Paul encourages the Romans, acknowledging their broadly recognized obedience. He wants their community to cultivate discernment that embraces good and refuses entanglement with evil. Next, in verse 20, he will lift their eyes to God’s imminent victory over Satan, adding a benediction of grace. The chapter will then resume greetings from Paul’s companions (verses 21–23), briefly note a textual benediction (verse 24), and conclude with a grand doxology (verses 25–27).

v.18For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

v.19This passage

v.20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:8

    For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything.

  • Luke 10:3

    Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

  • Psalms 101:2

    I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way: Oh when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:2

    We give thanks to God always for you all, making mentionof youin our prayers;

  • 2 Timothy 3:15

    and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  • Philippians 2:15

    that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,

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